One of the most common causes of heel pain is "plantar fasciitis" — a condition that causes stabbing soreness. Plantar fasciitis can develop at workplaces, especially when a job requires long periods of standing.
In general, people with plantar fasciitis have an inflamed, thick band of tissue running along the bottom of their foot or both feet. This bowstring-shaped band connects your heel to your toes and supports the arch of your foot. It also absorbs shock when you walk.
When tension and stress are put on the band, small tears can rip in the foot and lead to stabbing pain. The pain can be particularly intense first thing in the morning and can be intensified by exercise.
Foot injuries happen more often in some industries than in others
Sprains, strains, and tears are common workplace foot injuries, especially for people who have to be on their feet all day, like factory workers and teachers. In 2019, there were about 47,000 workplace foot injuries reported.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industries that experience the most injuries include:
- Retail — Convenience stores, grocers, department stores, home furnishing, building equipment, and garden supply sellers
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Health care — Hospitals and nursing homes
- Foodservice — Bars, restaurants, food manufacturing, wineries
- Transportation and warehousing
- Construction — Foundation, structure, siding, painting, and framing contractors
- Farm labor
- Waste treatment and disposal
Working in a job where standing for long periods of time is a requirement is one of the more common causes of plantar fasciitis, but not the only one. The painful foot condition can also be brought on by hard or slippery floors, poorly fitted footwear, strenuous work, and littered walkways.
7 of the most common foot injuries
If your foot was injured while you were at work or otherwise on the clock, don't try to tough it out. Your feet are more delicate than they look. They need treatment and time to properly heal if you want to regain full use of them. In addition to plantar fasciitis, other severe foot injuries include:
- Crushed, fractured, or broken bones
- Amputations of toes or feet
- Punctures in the sole of the foot
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Electric shock
- Sprained or twisted ankles
Get the treatment you need after a work-related foot injury
If you were injured on the job in the state of New York, there is a process you must go through to receive workers' compensation benefits. As soon as you are able, you should see a doctor with extensive experience diagnosing workplace injuries and who knows how and when to file the proper documents for your workers' comp claim.
In the greater New York City area, it is important that you see a knowledgeable workers' compensation doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you see a doctor, the quicker you can get on the road to recovery.
The team at Island Musculoskeletal Care (IMC Bone Doc) has more than 100 years of combined medical experience. Our board-certified doctors and staff have made lifelong careers out of helping people injured on the job. We're certified to provide treatment to patients who suffer plantar fasciitis and other work-related foot injuries that are covered by workers’ compensation in New York—and we're here to help you.
Call or email us now to schedule an appointment at one of our NYC or Long Island medical offices, including locations in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Deer Park, Patchogue, Queens, Shirley, and Valley Stream.
